Indonesian civilization destroyed by volcanic eruption found
John Roach
National Geographic News
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Scientists announced today the discovery of a small "kingdom" on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa thought to have been obliterated by the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The eruption of the volcano Tambora in 1815 killed 117,000 people in Southeast Asia, including those believed buried under ten feet (three meters) of pumice and ash in the recently discovered village.
The team, led by University of Rhode Island volcanologist Haraldur Sigurdsson, hailed the discovery as the "Pompeii of the East." Scientists discovered the village in 2004 in a gully that cut through the thick layer of pumice and ash.
Local guides had told the team about artifacts found in the area.
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See Also:
'Pompeii of the East' discovered
Scientists claim to find lost Indonesian civilization
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Ground-penetrating radar later confirmed the first evidence of the village:
a small house.
The researchers excavated the house, where they found the remains of two adults and their belongings:
bronze bowls, ceramic pots, iron tools, pieces of furniture, and other artifacts. The design and decoration of the artifacts suggest that the Tamboran culture was linked through trade to Vietnam and Cambodia, Sigurdsson said.
Writing found on several artifacts suggests that the Tamborans spoke a language unlike others in Indonesia but similar to the languages of Cambodia and Laos, Sigurdsson added.
feb 27, 2006
John Roach
National Geographic News
__________________
Scientists announced today the discovery of a small "kingdom" on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa thought to have been obliterated by the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The eruption of the volcano Tambora in 1815 killed 117,000 people in Southeast Asia, including those believed buried under ten feet (three meters) of pumice and ash in the recently discovered village.
The team, led by University of Rhode Island volcanologist Haraldur Sigurdsson, hailed the discovery as the "Pompeii of the East." Scientists discovered the village in 2004 in a gully that cut through the thick layer of pumice and ash.
Local guides had told the team about artifacts found in the area.
_________________
See Also:
'Pompeii of the East' discovered
Scientists claim to find lost Indonesian civilization
_________________
Ground-penetrating radar later confirmed the first evidence of the village:
a small house.
The researchers excavated the house, where they found the remains of two adults and their belongings:
bronze bowls, ceramic pots, iron tools, pieces of furniture, and other artifacts. The design and decoration of the artifacts suggest that the Tamboran culture was linked through trade to Vietnam and Cambodia, Sigurdsson said.
Writing found on several artifacts suggests that the Tamborans spoke a language unlike others in Indonesia but similar to the languages of Cambodia and Laos, Sigurdsson added.
feb 27, 2006
